CROSS EXAMINATION.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 425, 19 November 1861, Page 3

CROSS EXAMINATION.

AJpADY CATECHISE E. Two kinds of witnesses are often encountered in a court of justice—the ?m-willing witness, and the too-willing witness. Here is one who doesn't seem to come under either category. The prosecuting attorney thus addressed him :— 'Mr. Parks, state if you please, whether the defendant to your knowledge has ever followed any profession.' 4 He has been a professor ever since I have known him.' ' Ah, a professor of what ?' ' A professor of religion.' ' You don't undirstand me, Mi. Parks. What does he do V ' Well, generally what he pleases.' , ' Tell the jury, Mr. Parks, what the defendant follows.' 'Gentlemen of the jury, the defendant follows the crowd, when they go to drink.' 'Mr. Paiks, this kind of prevarication will not do here. Now state, sir, how the defendant supports himself.' 'I saw him last night supporting himself against a lamp-post.' ' May it please your honor, this witness shows an evident disposition to tiillo with this honorable court.' The Court—'Mr. Parks, state, if you know anything about it, what the defendant's occupation is. Tlit court, let me say, has no idea that you mean to be disingenuous.' ' Occupation, did you say, sir?' ' Occupation,' answered the Judge. ' Yes,' echoed the counsel. * What was h's occupation?' ' If 1 am not mistaken, he occupies a garret somewhere in town.' ' That's all, Mr. Parks. I understand you to say that the defendant is a professor of religion V "'He is.' ' Does his practice correspond with his profession V ' I never heard of any correspondence, or letters of any kind.' ' You said something about his propensity for drinking. Does he drink hard ?'■ ' No sir, I think he drinks as easy as any man I ever saw.' ' One more question, Mr. Parks; you hava known the defendant a long time. What are hi? habits; loose or otherwise ?' - : '.The one he ha 9 got on now, I think, is rather tight under the arms; it is certainly too shortwaisted for the fashion.' ' " * Xoti can take youv 6Qat, Mr, ParW